Key Takeaways
- The electric vehicle maker will showcase its redesigned Roadster on October 1, marking nearly nine years since the original 2017 announcement.
- Elon Musk promises the vehicle will deliver unprecedented excitement, with podcast co-host Jason Calacanis describing his preview as “jaw-dropping.”
- The high-performance sports car may incorporate SpaceX rocket technology, including a possible cold-gas thruster system.
- Shares of TSLA traded 0.2% lower at $358.33 during Tuesday’s premarket session, extending the year-to-date decline to 20%.
- Several prominent reservation holders, such as OpenAI’s Sam Altman and tech YouTuber MKBHD, have withdrawn their $50,000 deposits.
After years of anticipation, Tesla has officially announced it will showcase its highly anticipated next-generation Roadster. The automaker revealed the October 1 date through a post on X, featuring an image captioned “Go for launch” that displays the Roadster illuminated in dramatic lighting with “10.01” displayed prominently.
The reimagined Roadster was originally announced by Musk in November 2017, with manufacturing slated to begin in 2020. That deadline passed without any vehicle reaching production. Now, approaching the nine-year mark since the initial announcement, Tesla claims the supercar is ready for its second public presentation.
During Tuesday’s premarket hours, TSLA shares changed hands at $358.33, representing a 0.2% decline. The stock has fallen 20% since the start of the year and is down 12% over the trailing twelve-month period.
During Monday’s episode of the All-In Podcast, Musk joined SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell for a discussion spanning multiple subjects, with the Roadster receiving significant attention.
“Excitement guaranteed,” Musk stated regarding the forthcoming presentation.
Podcast co-host Jason Calacanis, who claims to have received a private viewing of the vehicle from Musk, expressed even greater enthusiasm. “My mind went boom,” he remarked. “What he’s going to show on 10/1 is going to blow people’s minds.”
Calacanis further suggested that initial footage of the sports car could be so remarkable that audiences may question whether the content is genuine or artificially generated.
Performance Specifications and Features
The automaker has previously outlined ambitious specifications including acceleration from 0-to-60-mph in just 1.9 seconds, maximum velocity exceeding 250 mph, and driving range reaching 620 miles. These numbers would position it among the most powerful production vehicles ever manufactured.
Additionally, Musk has hinted at a partnership with SpaceX that would integrate cold-gas thruster technology, potentially allowing the vehicle to momentarily hover above the surface. He described this as “rocket-y stuff.” The practical implementation of this feature remains mysterious until the official unveiling.
The vehicle will feature a convertible design and comes with a substantial price point. When reservations opened in 2017, Tesla required a $50,000 deposit for the standard version and $250,000 upfront payment for the exclusive Founders Series model.
Lengthy Wait for Early Adopters
The company started accepting reservations in 2017. During an October 2024 earnings conference call, Musk expressed gratitude to the “long-suffering” customers who maintained their deposits throughout the extended delay.
However, not all reservation holders remained committed. Both OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and influential tech YouTuber Marques Brownlee (MKBHD) have publicly confirmed they requested refunds of their reservations. Following Tesla’s reveal date announcement, Brownlee posted a terse response: “Well well well.”
Market analysts have primarily focused on Tesla’s artificial intelligence initiatives rather than its vehicle portfolio. The company launched its AI-powered autonomous taxi service in June 2025, though adoption has progressed gradually. Tesla is simultaneously advancing its humanoid robot technology through the Optimus project.
Industry observers have suggested that an Optimus demonstration could potentially accompany the Roadster presentation at the October 1 event.
The electric vehicle manufacturer has not disclosed specific production commencement dates or customer delivery schedules for the Roadster.


